Catalogue description Office of Woods, Forests and Land Revenues and predecessor: Solicitor's Department: Entry Books of Out Letters

This series contains entry books of out letters (1812-1900) recording the texts of all letters despatched by solicitors for the Office of Woods, Forests and Land Revenues (from 1832-1851 the Office of Woods, Forests, Land Revenues, Works and Buildings).

Many of the early letters are addressed to officials of the Office of Woods. The letters are arranged chronologically, and deal with a wide range of subjects including opinions on deeds and acts of parliament and their amendment, the transmission or serving of various legal documents including the decisions of referees in disputes, action regarding trespass and the recovery of unpaid sums, requests for witnesses to give evidence before tribunals, etc.

The earliest volumes are indexed by name only, but most of the indexes are divided up into 'Letters - business' (places), 'Letters - parties' (names) and 'Reports to the Board' (places) under each letter of the alphabet. CRES 22/1-66 and CRES 22/77-116 form a single series of volumes numbered 1-106. From October 1851 until November 1868, however, letters relating to the Royal Forests were entered in a separate series of ten books, CRES 22/67-76.

The earliest letters were signed by G Jones of Messrs Jones and Green of Salisbury Square. From January 1822 the firm of Green, Pemberton and Crawley at the same address was responsible for the work. Later Pemberton, Crawley and Gardiner of 20 Whitehall Place acted for the office, and nearly all the letters in the Royal Forests series were signed by John Gardiner. In due course the solicitor responsible became a paid employee of the office, and a Solicitor's Department was created.

Records for the period 1881 May 28-1882 Feb 9 (volume 83) are wanting.

Office of Woods, Forests and Land Revenues, 1810-1832

Office of Woods, Forests and Land Revenues, 1851-1924

Office of Woods, Forests, Land Revenues, Works and Buildings, 1832-1851